India, Feb. 18 -- The proximity of a protected area home to the largest reserve of Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) to the pilgrim town of Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh makes its smuggling easy, official sources have told Down To Earth (DTE).

The valuable tree species is endemic to three districts (Chittoor, Nellore and YSR Kadapa) of southern Andhra Pradesh. Its largest reserve is found in Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve, a protected area and part of the Eastern Ghats landscape, occupying 4,755 sq km area.

Seshachalam is spread over Chittoor and YSR Kadapa districts and lies close to Tirupati (the temple is about 35 km from the Seshachalam Hills).

"As it is a pilgrimage area, vehicles are often not properly checked due to traffic rush....